The Whitehaven football team has grown accustomed to being the circle game on everyone's schedule. And now that the Tigers have a state championship, it's only going to get tougher.

After losing in the semifinals in 2010 and in the championship game in 2011, the Tigers finally got to hoist the gold ball in 2012, defeating Maryville, 35-34 in overtime, in the BlueCross Bowl 6A title game. The victory capped a 15-0 season and gave the Tigers their first state championship since the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association adopted its current playoff format in 1969.

"It was a surreal experience," said defensive back Stevorius Kimball. "But it's not about last year; we want to come out harder this year. Everyone wants to be a champion, everyone wants to beat the champion."

Said coach Rodney Saulsberry, "Last year's over. It's a brand-new year and we're staying humble and staying hungry. The prize is still the same but now that we've gotten one, our motivation is to get two gold balls."

The Tigers open the year No. 1 in The Commercial Appeal's Dandy Dozen. But to become a championship team again To get that, though, the Tigers will have to navigate a treacherous schedule. Whitehaven has not lost to a team from Shelby County since falling to Ridgeway, 7-0, in the fourth game of the 2010 season.

"Motivation is not a problem," said Saulsberry. "We've got about 150 guys out here competing ... somebody is always ready to step up."

The Tigers will need lots of somebodies to step up if they're to duplicate last year's successes. Many key players — most notably running back Mark Dodson (Ole Miss) and defensive back Darius Sims and receiver Gerald Perry (both Vanderbilt) — are gone.

But this is Whitehaven, and talent is never in short supply.

The running game got a boost with the addition of Ramadi Warren, a senior who transferred from Christian Brothers. The senior will share the load with classmate Marshawn Jones.

Returning starter Duane Willingham heads the receiver corps. And Sauslberry has plenty of confidence in his "battle-tested" quarterback Jordan Williams, who stepped in when Patrick Smith was injured last season and threw four touchdown passes in a playoff victory over Southwind.

The Tigers' best offensive player, though, may be 270-pound offensive lineman Thomas Burton.

"It all starts with the offensive line," Saulsberry said. "And Thomas Burton is a tremendous football player."

There will be lots of new faces on defense, too, but the Tigers will have a star in junior Josh McMillon, the latest talented linebacker off the school's assembly line.

"The same expectations go; try to get as many doughnuts (shutouts) as we can and get back to the state championship," McMillon said. "I'm ready to put the team on my back."

Kimball and fellow senior Terrignon Brown hold things down in the secondary. And everyone on the team is excited about the potential of linebacker Elex Harris, who saw plenty of playing time in the state championship game after last year's star Adam Collins was injured.

Saulsberry said several freshman could make immediate impacts, including two — Tyler Walton (6-4, 280) and Shabar Wilson (6-2, 260) — on the D-line.

"People say you can't come to Whitehaven and play as a freshman," he said. "We're refuting that."

No. 1 Whitehaven Tigers

Coach: Rodney Saulsberry

Region: District 16-AAA

Record in 2012: 15-0, defeated Maryville in BlueCross Bowl 6A state championship game.

Keep an eye on: LB Josh McMillon (junior will line up either on the outside or inside and — barring injury — should be the eighth straight Whitehaven linebacker to earn all-state honors); RB Ramadi Warren (CBHS transfer should be in line for a big year); OL Thomas Burton (senior standout whose veteran leadership will be vital); LB Elex Harris (played well in state championship game after Adam Collins got hurt; will be counted upon heavily this season).

Key games: Sept. 6 vs. White Station (after opening against neighborhood rivals Mitchell and Fairley, 16-AAA opener will provide first real test); Sept. 27 vs. Ridgeway (college scouts have this one marked down; there will be more than a dozen blue-chip prospects on the field); Oct. 5 at Sacred Heart-Griffin (Tigers will be tested on their annual trip to Illinois).

Did you know: Whitehaven has won 10 games or more every year since 2007 and has a 78-10 record and two state title game appearances.